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John,
        There are few clear unambiguous answers in life
and the same is true of many aspects of exhibit design
including color.
        From my research and readings the closest thing
to a universal statement is that the color of text on a
colored background impacts readability.  Black lettering
on a yellow background presents the best contrast and
readability, but life would get pretty boring if everything
we read looked like a yellow legal pad.
        Color is only one aspect of the look and feel of an
exhibit.  In my research I have pretty much found that
visitors don't get most color cues to define topic areas
within an exhibit.  Color is usually not the key aspect of
design that serves as an attractor into an exhibit either.
Changing light, visual action (vs. a static setting) and
other people seeming to enjoy themselves seems to have
a larger impact than color.
        Color and design do seem to help visitors to know
where the boundaries of an exhibit are once they are in
it.
        Something I learned while doing pre and formative
evaluation for a technology exhibit around 10 years ago,
is that design and the textures we choose can do as much
to tell people that an exhibit isn't for them as it can to
attract them in.  An early part of our testing was to describe
the exhibition and show some renderings to potential
visitors and ask them about their reactions.  The initial plan
was to use a high tech look... lots of chrome, black plex.
and high tech surfaces.  This was fine for those who already
were interested in technology, but served as a visual notice
that this wasn't an exhibit of interest to those who had some
anxiety to technology.  We found that using natural wood
tones and softer, more natural colors caused the technophobes
to report a much higher likeliness to entering the exhibition.

        Another large factor in the design is what else an exhibit
is playing off.  Are there lots of windows, is this exhibition in
a visually noisy space where there are lots of other things
competing for the visitors attention, etc.

        I find that the presence or absence of other visitors in a
space can play a larger role in comfort and attractiveness than
the design itself.  On slow days, I find visitors somewhat reluctant
to enter a space (exhibition) with no other visitors.  A few other
faces (but not so many that the space is crowded) can make the
space much more appealing.  If the others seem to be having fun
in the space even better...

        I am a firm believer in prototyping, mockups, talking to visitors
etc. rather than assuming I know what the impact of decisions will
be... even after 30 years in the business.

        Hope this is useful...

David

                  David Taylor
       AHHA Museum Services
           Now I Understand
        1560 NW Woodbine Way
            Seattle, WA 98177
              (206) 363-8126
   e-mail:   [log in to unmask]
http://www.AHHA-MuseumServices.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> From: John Thacker <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Informal Science Education Network <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 17:36:09 -0500
> Subject: Exhibit Colors
> 
> 
> Hello All -
> Has anyone seen research on laminate colors used in Exhibits - specifically,
> any research-based evidence (or even anecdotal) on what colors "work" with
> interactive exhibits? Does color add to "attractiveness" of the exhibit or
> is that feature really lost in the noise?
> John
> 

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